Microbeads which are used in products like toothpastes and shampoos are being phased out in Australia.

Unilever, which owns the Dove brand, and the Australian arm of L'Oreal have announced a phase-out of the facial scrub ingredient which is polluting Sydney Harbour.

Founder and managing director of the social advocacy group Do Something!, Jon Dee, says it's good to see these companies taking note.

"There's an app called "Beat the Microbead', which shows that the majority of companies out there are using microbeads.

"But the good news is we're now seeing a phase out begin of this product that is ending up in the environment."